REGISTRO SONORO OFICIAL

The 60s references that Brazilian rock bands evoke every once in a while (Beatles, Jovem Guarda, etc) are many times used as an excuse for the lame sound and inspiration turned into albums. Fortunately, this isn't the case with the gauchos from the band Video Hits, on their debut CD, Registro Sonoro Oficial. Diego Medina and his troupe managed to filter the least dated stuff from the rock music of that decade and adapt it to the power pop made with drums and noisy guitars in the 90s (Weezer, Foo Fighters, etc). The talented vocalist is also a creative songwriter who makes radio-friendly, melodic tunes. And if the arrangements are not the newest thing available, they are effective.

The first single, (Vo)C, is a good introduction to Video Hits - intense, emotive, performed by a tight band and two real backing vocalists, although lacking the nonsense gem lyrics featured in tracks like Joe Aipim, 5ª Embalada and O Basset Azul. The master of Brazilian soul, Gerson King Combo, fits Furacão with perfection, with nice references to the history of the funk from Rio. Ronnie Von's participation is also outstanding on the version of Silvia 20 Horas Domingo, a treat from his psychedelic, late 60s album. With tracks like that, plus Trombetas de Isaías and Menino Feio, Video Hits is avoiding the predictability of Brazilian pop-rock in the beginning of the 21st century. Which is a lot, already.

(Silvio Essinger)